Question about heart thumping and racing

Hi, I had a pacemaker "installed' last week. Since yesterday, though, every time I get up from the chair and walk my heart really thumps. Thought it would go away. I will call the dr. tomorrow. Or should I tonite? I just don't want to end up in the emergency room again in the middle of the nite. I was wondering if this was cause by staring at five monitors and having three computers around me.

3 Comments

me too!

by lucyb - 2013-10-25 09:10:21

I got my PM 3 weeks ago, and I'm experiencing this too (see my post from a few days ago), especially when I get up out of bed in the night, and when I shower, although sometimes it does just come on randomly too. Pretty sure I don't/shouldn't have rate response turned on, as my sinus node is healthy and controlling my pace.

I doubt it has anything to do with the computers and monitors...but you never know. I'm booked in for testing on Tuesday, I will let you know what they say!

Rate Response or other settings

by jenny97 - 2013-10-25 09:10:38

It sounds like this could be a settings issue. If it happens when you go from stationary to active, it could be the rate response. Depending on what your diagnosis is that caused the PM implantation, this function may not be necessary at all. (It's turned off on my PM because my sinus node works just fine and increases my heart's speed when I increase activity.) If it is a needed function, they may be able to tweak the voltage or speed or other settings to make it more comfortable for you.

Calling your doctor is probably the best way to deal with this issue.

Good luck!

Jenny

A quick & dirty analysis...

by donr - 2013-10-27 01:10:59

...of your situation.

My first question is what kind of monitors are they? Flat screen or the old style Cathode ray tube display. Their electromagnetic fields are dramatically different.

You did not specify the relationship between the bad feelings at night & all the monitors & computers around you.

If you are staring at all the monitors & are surrounded by computers during the day - AND - the bad feelings come at night, I hesitate to connect the two.

IF the electronics were affecting your PM, they would do it WHILE you are in their proximity. not after you get home & go to bed several hours later.

Now you write about problems when you get up from a chair & walk around. Does that mean while you are at work, surrounded by the electronics? Does it continue AFTER you get home & relax?

Generally speaking, All these devices do NOT affect PM's. They are required by the FCC (in the US) to meet certain standards on spurious radiation & interference on other electronics equipment. This is NOT the first place I would look for the source of your ills.

Look first at the settings of your PM. Someone above suggested the Rate Response (RR) function that is designed to cause your heart to accelerate its rate if the RR senses increased physical activity. As the simplest problem to correct, I'd start there. This sounds like a possible RR issue.

Look second at what you are doing. If you went back to work (it sounds like it, comparing your job description in your profile), & your description of watching electronics matches that, you may be rushing things a bit.

Getting back too soon can cause anxiety/stress issues that can pop up in some not-so-obvious ways. These symptoms sound like they could fall into this category, but AFTER the RR issue. You have to answer this one for yourself. Stress/Anxiety can do that to you, especially after you fall asleep for a while.

Hope I've given you some food for thought.

Don

You know you're wired when...

You have a dymo-powered bike.

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